Jordan Gavin (LW, L, 5’11”, 190, Brandon Wheat Kings, 11/13/2006)
Jordan Gavin is a highly intelligent, multi-positional forward who blends poise, deception, and playmaking IQ with reliable two-way detail. While not flashy in his approach, Gavin’s consistency, vision, and execution at both even strength and on special teams make him a trusted player in all situations. With 57 points in 68 combined WHL games this season (0 PIMs), Gavin has shown clear offensive upside, leadership maturity, and a strong foundation to build on. However, limitations in strength, puck battle efficiency, and game-driving ability at 5-on-5 remain hurdles to projecting him as a lock NHL player without continued development.
Why Gavin Should Be Drafted
- Advanced Processing & Playmaking Intelligence
Gavin demonstrates high-end hockey sense, particularly in transition and the offensive zone. His reads are timely, and he layers deception into his game with shoulder fakes, delay plays, and spatial manipulation. His 1.56 pre-shot passes/game and 86% pass completion rate reflect his playmaking precision. Gavin makes subtle, quick decisions—on and off puck—that generate consistent offense without needing to dominate shifts. - Positional Versatility & Special Teams Usage
He plays both wings and can support in the middle when needed. Gavin was leaned on in Brandon and Tri-City as a top power-play option (3:05 PPT/game) and a contributor on the PK (1:18 SHT/game), which speaks to his hockey IQ and trust from coaches. His ability to be effective without the puck—through intelligent routes, spacing, and rotation reads—adds value that isn’t fully captured in basic stats. - Effective Without Penalty Risk & High Situational Awareness
Across 68 games this season, Gavin recorded 0 penalty minutes, showing elite discipline and body control. His ability to stay on the right side of the puck and still finish checks, track defensively, and press with a sneaky stick on the forecheck speaks to his hockey maturity. His 12% scoring chance conversion on 2.1 chances/game is also a strong indicator of touch and offensive polish.
Why Gavin Should Not Be Drafted (Yet)
- Below NHL Size & Low Puck Battle Win Rate
While he has good mass for his height (190 lbs), Gavin’s 41% puck battle win rate on the season (including 45% with Brandon) underscores his current limitations in strength and physical leverage. At the NHL level, forwards his size must excel in tight areas and win more 50/50s to stick in middle-six roles. This is one of the clearest areas where Gavin needs off-ice development to close the gap. - Not a Line Driver at Even Strength
Despite his IQ and offensive feel, Gavin isn’t a dynamic puck transporter or primary line driver at 5-on-5. His 5.2 giveaways/game against 2.9 takeaways/game reflects a player still refining his timing and control under pressure. While he supports play well and makes smart touches, he doesn’t consistently tilt the ice on his own or create off broken plays—he needs skilled linemates to maximize output. - Needs More North-South Pop
Gavin plays a composed game with layers of deception, but his explosiveness—especially when attacking inside—is still developing. He shows bursts in transition but lacks consistent push to separate from defenders or force defenses to collapse. As such, many of his touches occur in the perimeter-to-slot corridors rather than inside the dots. If he can add another gear and strengthen his base, his game will become more dynamic.
Projection & Recommendation
Projection:
Versatile, high-IQ middle-six forward who can contribute on both special teams and elevate possession lines through smart reads and execution. Ceiling tied to how much he can improve strength, burst, and puck battle efficiency.
Draft Range: 4th Round. Strong candidate to climb into 2nd tier of eligible forwards with another step in strength, speed, and consistent shift-driving next season.
Development Path:
WHL Top-6 role with continued special teams usage. Priority strength training and lower-body explosiveness focus. Expect leadership roles in his future.
Verdict:
Gavin brings a mature, composed, and detail-oriented approach to the game that NHL organizations covet. While his toolkit doesn’t jump off the page, his brain and reliability do. If he adds another gear physically and becomes more assertive in puck battles, he projects as a reliable depth NHL forward with the versatility to support skilled players or stabilize checking lines. Strong candidate for long-term development investment.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images